Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo listened when teams called about Kyle Finnegan (Other nationals like Lane Thomas) in 2023 MLB trade deadlinebut in the end, he explained:We never reached the standards we set for each player. ” Rizzo, who is in the Washington D.C. front office, was in Scottsdale, Arizona this week to attend the 2023 General Managers Conference and was asked about the possibility of trading Finnegan (or fellow relief pitcher Hunter Harvey) He said the market for relief weapons is expected to be active this winter, but while there is interest, there is no immediate need for any relief weapons.
“Their names came up in several different conversations.” Rizzo explained on the spot with MLB Network host John Morosi. Originally from Scottsdale. “We’re not looking to move them because they’re good, controllable players for us, but we don’t say no to anything — any idea — but we’re at the back end of the bullpen. And I like them. [manager] davie [Martinez] uses them frequently and last year was successful for us. ”
Manager Mike Rizzo acknowledged GMs are asking about relievers Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey in trade talks this week. “We’re not looking to move them, but we’ll never say no.” [considering] “It’s an idea,” he said.@MLB Network
— John Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 9, 2023
So unless another team knocks the Nationals’ socks off with an offer, is that a “no”? But more importantly, they’re just attending GM meetings to start conversations and get ideas about the market before they start building their 2024 roster in earnest. said Rizzo.
“We are here to lay the foundation for future deals,” he said.
“This is a business of communication and relationships, and we are here to revive relationships and lay the foundation for the deals we will do later in the winter.”
“We’ve just scratched the surface with this,” he reiterated at another point.
“We’re going to talk about how we’re going to build this team for the winter and that’s what we’re going to talk about.” [Finnegan and Harvey] Also any other ideas that other teams have. ”
As the hot stove is being heated, world series And while the 2023 campaign is over and talk is heating up, Rizzo said it’s just talk for now with the Nationals.
When asked about how quickly the market moved earlier this offseason, Rizzo said, “Personally, we’re not at that point yet.”
“Again, we’re kind of at the beginning of the process, looking at the situation, talking to other teams and agents, and then bringing it back to the ballpark and letting that get us where we are.” I’m going to check.”
Coach Morosi asked about Jeimer Candelario, who started the season in Washington, was traded to Chicago, and has already attracted interest in Toronto this winter.
Would the Nationals consider bringing back the veteran? Candelario appeared in 140 games and 576 at-bats between the Nationals and the Nationals, hitting .251/.336/.471 with 39 doubles and 22 home runs. cubs3.3 fWAR in campaign.
He was traded to the Cubbies at the trade deadline in exchange for 22-year-old pitcher DJ Hurts and 21-year-old infielder Kevin Made.
Asked about Candelario, Rizzo said, “We’re going to look at all options.”
“He’s been a great teammate for us, he’s played well for us, he’s been great to have in the clubhouse, he’s been great with our young players and it’s been a great season for us. And we were grateful for what he did for us.” He had two great prospects, so I think it was a win-lose for both sides. ”
Will there be more deals this winter? Several recent signings have helped replenish the Nationals’ system, and Rizzo said the team competed for a postseason berth and a World Series title from 2009, when he took over as general manager, to 2019, when they won it all. He explained that the system was running dry.Coach Morosi has floated a franchise-altering trade before the 2022 deadline, acquiring both Juan Soto and Josh Bell. san diego padres (2*), Robert Hassell III (8), Jarlin Susana (12) and veteran bat Luke Voit asked Rizzo how he views the deal in hindsight.
[ed. note – “* = Ranking on MLB Pipeline’s list of the Nationals’ top prospects.”]
“I see two of them. [Abrams and Gore] “Right now at the big league level, you’re kind of cutting your teeth and getting better as the season goes on,” Rizzo told Morosi. That trade. It’s all about making them better, seeing where their limits are and helping them reach the big leagues and become the core of another championship club. ”
more:
Rizzo also met with reporters at a press conference from Scottsdale, where Washington Post reporter Andrew Golden summarized the main points on X/Twitter:
Mike Rizzo’s notes from the GM meeting:
– The Nats are in the market for starting pitchers and relievers.Also mentioned about the order bat in the middle.
-Ownership is focused on winning and has no impact on Lizzo’s daily life
– I will not comment on the coaching change as it is not an official transfer.— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) November 9, 2023
– Hiring Mr. Longosz: We believe he is on the cutting edge of new technology/analytics and will help implement it into PD in the future.
– PD Staff: Expected to remain the same number as last season.
– Strasburg: It will be hard to see him pitch at the major league level.— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) November 9, 2023
Haas: He’s a combination of model-driven scouting director and hands-on scouting. All three scout hires are hired by great scouting organizations.
Minor League: This Minor League ST said the team will be the most exciting yet for a talented team.— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) November 9, 2023
Also:
Scott Boras: “Eric Fedde is the hottest free agent in MLB.” After a big year in the KBO, he said everyone wants to talk about him. Of course, that was the purpose of going there in the first place.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) November 8, 2023
